Health & safety

Question 1

What health & safety legislation are you aware of?

Answer 1

Health and safety at work (1974)

This states that employees have a duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all their employees at work

Question 2

What are the aims of Health & Safety at Work (1974)?

Answer 2

Secure the health, safety and welfare of people at work
Protect others against risks to health & safety arising from work activities
Control dangerous substances
Control of emissions into the atmosphere
Employers with 5+ employees must have a written health & safety document detailing the organisations health and safety structure

Question 3

How do you comply the the H&S (1974) legislation?

Answer 3

By ensuring I am a safe person.
Conducting a risk assessment
Always take my phone and check in using my work buddy app
Wear appropriate PPE

Question 4

Is it a criminal offence to breach the H&S at Work Act?

Answer 4

Yes. It is a criminal offence punishable by max. £20,000 fine and/or up to 2 years imprisonment

Question 5

What is your employers health and safety policy?

Answer 5

Prevent work related injuries or illnesses
Prevent damage to the property and/or equipment from our activities

Employees must:
Take responsibility for their own and others’ safety
Risk assessments are compulsory for each site inspection
Act responsibly, report incidents and near misses
Comply with safe systems of work
Training and refresher courses

Question 6

What guidance does RICS produce for H&S?

Answer 6

RICS Guidance Note: Surveying safely

Question 7

What is your understanding of surveying safely?

Answer 7

It’s an RICS guidance on personal safety at work. It covers:
Employers/employees duty of care (under tort) towards those who may be affected by their actions
Actions that must be taken by employers
Fire and first aid provisions
Hazard and risk assessment requirements
Visiting site: lone working, PPE, access provisions
During site visits: key hazards assessments including structures, roofs and contamination
Safety of you and others

Question 8

When was surveying safely last updated?

Answer 8

2nd edition came into effect in February 2019

Question 9

What is a safe person?

Answer 9

A safe person is an individual that assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues and others health and safety while at work

Question 10

What are the key changes in surveying safely?

Answer 10

It added advice on mental health and wellbeing. The safe person concept

Question 11

What is PPE?

Answer 11

Personal protective equipment

It’s is protective clothing and equipment to keep you safe. Such as;
Hard hat
Boots
Goggles
Gloves
Hi vis jacket
Ear defenders

Question 12

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 12

A legal requirement for organisations having 5+ employees, to carry out.
It is a careful examination of what in the workplace could cause harm. You can weigh up whether sufficient precautions have been taken or if more needs to be done to prevent harm

Question 13

What is a risk?

Answer 13

The probability that someone will be harmed (e.g. falling in a wet floor)

Question 14

What is a hazard?

Answer 14

Anything that has the potential to cause harm (e.g. a wet floor)

Question 15

How would you undertake a risk assessment before attending site?

Answer 15

I D E R R

Identify the hazard
Decide who might be harmed and how
Evaluate the risks and decide precautions
Record your findings and implement them
Review your assessment and update if necessary

Question 16

What is asbestos?

Answer 16

Naturally occurring fibrous mineral that crystallised to form fibres.
Insulating material that can cause serious health problems and fatal diseases.
Used as insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, roof sheets
It poses no health risks if left untreated but if disrupted/damaged it will release small toxic fibres which can lodge in the lungs and cause serious illness.
There are three types:
White (chrysotile)- illegal since 1999
Brown (amosite)- banned since 1985
Blue (crocidolite)- banned since 1985

Question 17

What legislation are you aware of in relation to asbestos?

Answer 17

Control of Asbestos Regulation (2012).

There is a statutory duty to manage existing asbestos and non compliance is a criminal offence. Obligation lies with both the duty holder and to the employer

Question 18

What do you understand from the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012)?

Answer 18

The supply, importation and use of all forms of asbestos is prohibited
All commercial buildings built before 2000 (white asbestos became illegal in 1999) must have an asbestos survey conducted to determine whether asbestos containing materials are present, where they are and in what condition.
It mentions two types of asbestos surveys:
Management survey and Refurbishment/demolition survey
Surveys must be carried out annually

Question 19

What are the two types of asbestos surveys?

Answer 19

Management survey: is the basic survey all non domestic properties (built pre-2000) should have. It is to locate, assess and advise on management during occupation and use of the premises. The information is managed in an asbestos management plan which should be updated if any changes occur, if not then at least annually

Refurbishment/demolition survey: when all or part of a property needs upgrading/refurbishing/demolishing. The inspections are more aggressive as it could include things like removing floorboards, breaking through concrete floors and walls, putting large holes in cladding etc. all asbestos containing materials are places in suitable secure packaging and sent to a licences disposal site.

Question 20

Who is the duty holder?

Answer 20

The owner of the premises (if vacant) or the tenant if occupied.

It is their duty to undertake a risk assessment to manage the risks then produce and implement a management plan stating if the asbestos will be encapsulated or removed. An asbestos register is produced and available to all those who might disrupt it. HSE recommends reviewing this every 6 months

Question 21

How does asbestos cause lung damage?

Answer 21

The fibres irritate and scar lung tissue which eventually causes the tissue to stiffen making it more difficult to breathe. As asbestosis progressed, more lung tissue gets scarred to the point the lungs can’t contract and explains normally

Question 22

What RICS guidance do you know about asbestos?

Answer 22

RICS Professional Standard: Asbestos (2021)

It details:
Common asbestos containing materials
How to commission an asbestos survey
Suggested contents of a management plan

Question 23

What is occupational health?

Answer 23

It promotes and maintains the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations.

This helps to create a safe and healthy work environment that allows workers to perform their roles in a safer and more secure environment

Question 24

What are the Construction (Design & Management) regulations 2015?

Answer 24

CDM (2015) replaced CDM (2007) and ensures that health and safety issues are properly considered during a projects development so that the risk of harm to those that have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced.
A CDM file must be maintained during construction and passed onto the owner/occupier of the building

Question 25

What Fire Safety legislation are you aware of?

Answer 25

Fire Safety Act (2021) and Fire Safety Regulations (2022)

Question 26

what is your understanding of Fire Safety Act (2021)?

Answer 26

Amended the Regulatory Reform Order (2005).
Applies to all premises in England and Wales
The act requires:
Regularly updated fire risk assessments
A responsible person to assess, manage and reduce fire risks
Fire services can take enforced actions against people who fail to comply
Regular lift inspections
Residents have suitable fire safety instructions

Question 27

What is the IFSS?

Answer 27

International Fire Safety Standards

A global coalition of over 80 fire safety leadership organisations (includes RICS, RIBA, RTPI).

RICS adopted the IFSS- Common Principles to provide a connected and more consistent approach that will be beneficial and improve our ability to respond, monitor ongoing developments, anticipate future threats and learn from past failures

Question 28

What is IFSS-CP framework?

Answer 28

It is a performance based framework that applies in all stages of a buildings life cycle. They are
Prevention
Detection and Communication
Occupant protection
Containment
Extinguishment

Question 29

Explain what RIDDOR is?

Answer 29

Reporting of
Incidents
Diseases
Dangerous Occurences
Regulation (2013).

It requires the responsible person to notify of any deaths, injuries, diseases, gas incidents etc to the HSE

Question 30

What is COSHH?

Answer 30

Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health

The regulation aims to avoid exposure to hazardous substances, or if it’s not possible, to control exposure by measures that are proportionate to the health risk

Question 31

What would you do if you suspect asbestos while on site?

Answer 31

Stop work immediately
Clear the area to ensure no one without PPE or RPE (respiratory protection equipment) is in the area
Warn anyone who may be affected
Identify the cause/source of asbestos release
Notify duty holder
Send off materials for analysis

Question 32

What is an HSE?

Answer 32

Health and Safety Executive

• A national independent watchdog dog for work related health, safety and illnesses.
• They act in the public interest to reduce work related deaths and serious injuries in UK
• Provide support and guidance to the public and businesses
• Issue written and verbal information and advice
• They have the power to visit a site without notice to collect evidence for an investigation

Question 33

What is a method statement?

Answer 33

A document detailing how a particular task or activity will be carried out
It should detail possible risks/dangers and the method/s of control established , showing how the work will be managed safely

Question 34

What goes into a method statement?

Answer 34

Working systems to be used
Arrangements for access
Arrangements for protecting the safety of members of the public
P&M to be used
Procedures to ensure CDM compliance
Procedures to prevent local pollution

Question 35

How is asbestos removed?

Answer 35

Notify HSE via online form
Obtain licence of removal from HSE
Appoint UKAS (UK Accredited Service) contractor- list on HSE website
Commence removal works
Enclose/decontaminate unit for removal works
Ensure appropriate removal- double bagged and taken to a licences disposal site